"The Lessons We Learn Too Late"

On Saturday afternoon, April 9th, Ronny read 1 Kings 13:1-3 as his text.

Often times we are too soon old, too late wise. We all make mistakes. We've all made unwise choices that we later regret. In the text reading we're introduced to an unnamed man who is a courageous man serving God. However, he ends up doing the wrong thing and it costs him his life.

This man was fearless in crying out against the false gods. But, Satan never gives up easily. While this man condemned the idolatry of the day, he's enticed by an old prophet's invitation. The Lord had told him not to go home with any man. His disobedience resulted in his death by an lion attack. Certainly, he'd have done things differently if given the chance to do it all over.

Like a jewel cutter, concerned with proper planning to make sure the cut is made exact - we should exercise great care in our lives. We can be forgiven. We can be reformed. But we can't go back.

1 Corinthians 10:11 tells us the things written aforetime were written for our learning.

God doesn't indulge in self-contradiction. God had told the man what He wanted. God had talked to him directly the first time. Yet he's now listening to a complete stranger who tells him of a new revelation from angels. Why would he follow such a man? Why would he do just the opposite of what God had told him directly?

People do the same thing today. They speculate on all sorts of things that go beyond what is written. For example, we often hear people claim that love is the most important thing. But John 14:15 teaches us that loving God is found in keeping His commandments. The Bible never said love conquers all, but that's what we often hear.

For instance, the Church matters even though people claim it doesn't. Ephesians 5:23 and Ephesians 4:4 teach us that Christ is the head of the body, the Church. He's the Savior of the body. And we're told there is only one body.

The lesson of our text also teaches us that you can't always believe what religious leaders tell you. The devil doesn't always attack you head on. Sometimes he sneaks around the back door. The younger prophet was gullible. He believed the lies of the old prophet.

Acts 17:11 talks of being noble by searching the scriptures daily to see whether things are true. 2 Corinthians 4:2 talks of renouncing the hidden things of dishonesty and handling God's word deceitfully. The old prophet lied to him.

John 16:13 talks of being guided into "all truth." 2 Peter 1:3 speaks of "all things that pertain to life and godliness."

The old prophet claimed to have seen an angel. The younger prophet believed him.

Hebrews 1:1 teaches us that God used to speak through the prophets, but now He speaks to us through His Son, Christ.

Galatians 1 talks of the Truth being contradicted by even an angel of heaven - "let him be accursed."

Sincerity didn't matter. We don't doubt the sincerity of the younger prophet. He died anyway.

Matthew 15 talks of the blind leading the blind so that they both fall into the ditch. Matthew 7:21 exclaims that "not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Yesterday's obedience will never atone for today's disobedience. It's important we remain stedfast and faithful unto death. 1 Cor. 15:58 and Rev. 2:10

The first part of his mission was successful, but he had a second part of the mission. He had to return home fully obedient to God's commands. He failed.

Galatians 1:6 demonstrates Paul shock that these brethren were so soon removed from the Gospel he had taught them. In Gal. 5:7 he asks, "Ye did run well. Who did hinder you?"

Paul asks them, "You were running so well. What happened?" The word "hinder" in the original language means to "break up a road." Armies would destroy roads so the enemy's progress would be impeded. Paul's question is, "Who tore up the road in front of you?"

Their progress was hindered by false prophets. Unfortunately, too many will learn this lesson too late. At judgment they're realize their progress was hindered because they followed someone or something other than the Truth.

"Who interfered with your spiritual progress?" Today, who hinders your progress?

The fact is, there are some lessons that we can learn too late.

1. Division is wrong and it will never pay. But that may be a lesson learned too late.

We need to come to grips with the problem of division - which is nothing more than a work of the flesh. 1 Corinthians 1:5, "That there be no divisions among you."

Too often brethren divide over pettiness. Very seldom do brethren divide over doctrinal issues. Division never blesses. It never builds up the body of Christ.

We need to learn to get along. We need to value working with others.

Ephesians 4:3 talks of keeping the unity in the bond of peace. That means we ought to try hard.

2. The high cost of putting the Church second may be a lesson learned too late.

Some give the Church very little thought when they select a spouse, a career, a place to live or anything else. The price is very high whenever we put the Church on a back burner to other things.

3. We are here to serve - not to be served. But that may be a lesson learned too late.

The rich man of Luke 16 learned too late that what he failed to do is what condemned him. In Matthew 25 those who were separated to the left hand were condemned for what they did not do.

Ronny then read to us a story of a cabby who picked up an elderly woman who was moving to a hospice. It was a moving story of service. The cabby was thankful he had gotten the old woman so he could be of service to her. It made him realize that it may have been one of the most important feats of his entire life.